Well, ’tis the season. For three weekends in October, New Orleans will host its very own Oktoberfest, presented by Deutsches Haus. Toasting to the region’s German history, cultural legacy and current traditions, the Bayou St. John affair features music, food and, naturally, plenty of beer.
Oktoberfest takes place across from City Park on October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. There, attendees can be sure to find brats, sauerkraut, schnitzel, meatloaf, pork loin, variety of German cheeses, large Bavarian-style pretzels and German desserts. More than 20 German beers will be on tap and folks are invited to attend the tapping of the first keg on Friday, October 5. There will be a costume contest and parade for all breeds of dogs, though Schnauzers will be the guest of honor. Plus, there will be Oompah music, dancing, a beer stein holding contest, dachshund race, a historic exhibit and plenty of kid-friendly activities.
Seriously, it’s a really good time. Check out the official event schedule:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018
- 4-6 pm – Music by Prost
- 6pm – First Keg Tap by Billy Nungesser, Lt. Governor of Louisiana
- 6pm – Deutsches Haus Saengerchor and Damenchor
- 6:30pm – The Pussy Footers
- 7-11 pm – Music by The Brats
- 8:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 10:30pm– Professor Schnitzelbank
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018
- 12 noon – Oktoberfest 2 Mile Run (Register for Race)
- 1-3:30 pm – Music by Die Musikanten
- 1pm-sunset – Children’s crafts by the New Orleans Children’s Museum (Kid’s Corner)
- 4-7:30 pm – Music by Matt Tolentino And His Royal Klobasneks
- 6:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 7-9pm – Visit by the Jaeger Girls
- 8-11 pm – Music by The Brats
- 8:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 10:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018
- 4-7:30 pm – Music by Das ist Lustig
- 4pm-sunset – Children’s craft activities by Rhino Contemporary Arts (Kid’s Corner)
- 7:30 pm – Disco Amigos
- 8-11 pm – Music by The Brats
- 8:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 10:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018
- 1-3:30 pm – Music by Prost
- 1pm-sunset – Children’s craft activities by Rhino Contemporary Arts (Kid’s corner)
- 4:30 pm – Disco Amigos
- 4-7:30 pm – Music by Das ist Lustig
- 6 pm – Schnauzer Costume Contest and Parade (All breeds welcome! Benefits NOLA Schnauzer Rescue. Register your Dog)
- 6:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 7-9pm – Visit by the Jaeger Girls
- 7:30 pm – Disco Amigos
- 8-11 pm – Music by The Brats
- 8:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 10:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018
- 4-6:30 pm – Music by Die Musikanten
- 6:30 pm – The Pussy Footers
- 7-11 pm – Music by Alex Meixner
- 8:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 10:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2018
- 1-3:30 pm – Music by Die Musikanten
- 3 pm – Dachshund Races! Benefits Animal Rescue New Orleans (Register your dachshund)
- 6:30 pm – The 610 Stompers
- 6:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 4-6:30 pm – Music by Prost
- 7-9pm – Visit by the Jaeger Girls
- 7-11 pm – Music by Alex Meixner
- 8:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
- 10:30pm – Professor Schnitzelbank
DAILY
- Masskrugstemmen – Beer Stein Holding Contest (for ladies, too) Several times daily
- Chicken dancing (of course) Several times daily
- Opening – sunset (around 6pm). Children’s activities in the Kid’s Corner (Kinderecke). Crafts and Games
- Schnitzelbank is a humorous German song with audience participation led by the Professor
Children under 12 are free. The rest of us can get in for only $8. Those interested in volunteering to keep Oktoberfest running smoothly can find out more by clicking here. For general information, visit Oktoberfest NOLA’s official website.
